Determination of colloidal osmotic equation of state by dielectrophoresis

Osmotic equation of state [P(N,T)] describes both the mechanical properties and phase behavior of a colloidal suspension. As an alternative to sedimentation, we propose a new approach to determine P(N,T) by dielectrophoresis (DEP). Using fluorescence confocal microscopy, we obtain particle density profiles in order to determine the DEP force distribution when the particle concentration is low and the inter-particle interactions are negligible. From the known force distribution and Einstein's osmotic equilibrium equation, we can calculate P(N,T) from the particle density profile of interacting, charge-stabilized polystyrene latex particles under different salt concentrations and added neutral polymers. The osmotic equation of state for colloidal suspensions can then be crosschecked by sedimentation equilibrium.